On Liberty John Stuart Mill Batoche Books

On Liberty/59imposed by the rights and interests of others, that human beings becomea noble and beautiful object of contemplation; and as the works partakethe character of those who do them, by the same process human life alsobecomes rich, diversified, and animating, furnishing more abundant alimentto high thoughts and elevating feelings, and strengthening the tiewhich binds every individual to the race, by making the race infinitelybetter worth belonging to. In proportion to the development of his individuality,each person becomes more valuable to himself, and is thereforecapable of being more valuable to others. There is a greater fulnessof life about his own existence, and when there is more life in the unitsthere is more in the mass which is composed of them. As much compressionas is necessary to prevent the stronger specimens of humannature from encroaching on the rights of others cannot be dispensedwith; but for this there is ample compensation even in the point of viewof human development. The means of development which the individualloses by being prevented from gratifying his inclinations to the injury ofothers, are chiefly obtained at the expense of the development of otherpeople. And even to himself there is a full equivalent in the better developmentof the social part of his nature, rendered possible by the restraintput upon the selfish part. To be held to rigid rules of justice forthe sake of others, develops the feelings and capacities which have thegood of others for their object. But to be restrained in things not affectingtheir good, by their mere displeasure, develops nothing valuable,except such force of character as may unfold itself in resisting the restraint.If acquiesced in, it dulls and blunts the whole nature. To giveany fair play to the nature of each, it is essential that different personsshould be allowed to lead different lives. In proportion as this latitudehas been exercised in any age, has that age been noteworthy to posterity.Even despotism does not produce its worst effects, so long as individualityexists under it; and whatever crushes individuality is despotism, bywhatever name it may be called, and whether it professes to be enforcingthe will of God or the injunctions of men.Having said that the individuality is the same thing with development,and that it is only the cultivation of individuality which produces,or can produce, well-developed human beings, I might here close theargument: for what more or better can be said of any condition of humanaffairs than that it brings human beings themselves nearer to thebest thing they can be? or what worse can be said of any obstruction togood than that it prevents this? Doubtless, however, these considerations